ED 089 305 PUB DATE Fart, Music, and Literature
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 089 305 CS 201 104. TITLE The Humanities; A Compendium for Teachers, INSTITUTION Nashville - Davidson County Metropolitan Public Schools, Tenn. PUB DATE 71 NOTE 91p. !MRS PRICE MP-$0.75 HC-E4.20 PLUS POSTAGE DESCRIPTORS *Aesthetic Education; Art; Curriculum Development; Curriculum Guides; Pine Arts; *Humanities; *Humanities Instruction; *interdisciplinary Approach; Literature; Music; *Secondary Education ABSTRACT Intended to assist in the development of huaanities programs on the secondary level, this guide contains a rationale for teaching humanities, instructional objectives from the U.S. Office of Education, definitions of the concerns of the humanities, a message to teachers of the humanities, and three approaches to teaching the humanities. The three approaches suggested are the conceptual approach, which is divided into two units to discuss music, art, and literature 'under the headings of than Seeks the Diviner" and liMan Seeks Social Orderft;, the elements approach, which is subject oriented fart, Music, and literature); and the chronologicalapproach, which deals with the humanities individually by peridds:,Supplementary references are given at the end of each section. (LL) I OEPAIIIIMINT OF NM" EDUCATION I WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OP EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT I4AS BEEN REPRO DUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGIN ATINO IT. POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE SENT OFFICIAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY rte. t 7 S )11.11111111.--1W-41.- `Mom THE HUMANITIES: A COMPENDIUM FOR TEACHERS IA the Makopoti.tan Pubta. School's o 6 Nab halle Tenneaa ee 1971 THE HUMANITIES / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Soctivi of Education C. R. Dorrier, Chairman Frank P. Grisham, Vice Chairman L. C. Biggs Isaiah T. Creswell Mrs. Irwin B. Eskind Walden S. Fabry W. 3. Harbison Mrs. C. F. Mager THE HUMANITIES, Steeking Committee G. H. Waters, Chairman Howard F. Brown Mrs. Elizabeth K. Burgess John Dossoy Mrs. Saradale D. Frierson Charles L. Bailey Hale Harris James Hughes H. B. McDonough Beasley T. Overbey, Jr. Mrs. Margaret Rhame Mrs. Barbara Schneider Mrs. Jessica B. Strassle Edmond M. Tipton Metitopotit4n Pubtie Schoot4 Naaatte, Tenne44ee THE HUMANIT1ESs A COMPENDIUM / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Nucto4 oi Schoot4 Dr. Elbert D. Brooks Ad4i4tant Supehintendent, in4 tAuctkon Dr. L. Linton Deck, Jr. THE HUMANITIES Comittee Mrs. Elizabeth K. Burgess, Adv4ot Mrs. Margaret Rhame, Coondknatot Mrs. Barbara Schneider Miss Sue Senter Mrs. Jessica Strassle Mrs. Wanda S. Hudson, EditoAiat Comatant Newton S. Holiday, Attat FOREWORD FOREWORD This publication, THE HUMANITIESt A COMPENDIUM FOR TEACHERS IN THE METROPOLITAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE," is intended to encourage and offer direction in the develop- ment of humanities programs on the secondary level; Along with the consideratiOn that has been given to the selection of materials, suggestions have been made as to methodology of approach; however, the challenge and the success of the programming will depend on the individual teacher or teaching team in- volved in evaluating the classroom situation and meeting the needs of the particular students. While teaching as a team is con- sidered best, it is the hope of the committee that many teachers will feel the urge to participate in the de velopment of a successful program. the Hu/mkt-tie:4 Committee iv RATIONALE RATIONALE The lives of men reflect an infinite pattern of change. Yet, within each pattern there are subtleties of thought and emotion which reflect a unity between the man of the past, the man of the present, and, inevitably, the man of the future. Frequently educators expose their students to fragmentations of man's crea- tiveness and endeavors, never allowing their pu- pils the satisfaction of recognizing man as a totality. The humanities approach to learning reveals the beauty, vitality, and ingenuity of the human life that has intrigued the artist, the musician, the historian, and the poet for centur- ies. Such an approach can only be pursued by one who is not only well-informed, but who savors the richness of sound teaching find ef- fective learning--both of which must result in the fruition, the permanent betterment of the student. The humanities approach leads the student to consider values. It establishes an awareness of freedom and responsibility. The stu- dent learns that, within limits, men have choices among alternatives; that these choices should be made carefully and thoughtfully; that making a choice is an act; and that acts have consequences. INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES IN THE HUMANITIES f/tom U. S. Office of Education INSTRUCTIONAL To introduce cat students (in- OBJECTIVES cluding the vocationally minded who will not go beyond high school) to the study of man--his nature, the full de- velopment of his faculties, the realization of his aspirations, and the secOring of his well being. To help the student come to know himself, to understand what has shaped his be- liefs, attitudes, and fortunes, and to develop a critical sense which will allow him as an individual to select and preserve the best in human societies. To develop in the student an attitude toward life which centers on 'the inherent dignity of each individual human being. To help the student reconcile freedom with social control. To cultivate his understanding of the unresolved conflicts and struggles that have persisted throughout human history. To develop his understanding of how social relations between different segments of society influence the form and content of liter- ature and the arts. To develop in the student an understanding of how language shapes ideas within a culture and is at the same time an expression of that culture. To give the student the ex- perience of personal involvement with ideas that have moved and shaped human societies. DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS The humanities deal with man's awareness and response to the human situation. The humanities are concerned with the responses of man expressed through many different media. The humanities involve man's ultivate qucstions, his search for answers, and his formulation of values. The humanities explore and illuminate that which is human and humane. The humanities present man in his present, looking at the past and facing the future. The humanities deal with the behavior of the human mind and human emotions. The humanities show ways in which man has attempted to create form out of chaos. The humanities work toward "a solution to the problem of existence." A MESSAGE TO TEACHERS OP HUMANITIES A MESSAGE This guide is designed as a resource for suggested approa- ches and materials. The selection and use of approa- ehes and of materials are entirely dependent upon the particular situation. it is the responsibility of the teacher to determine what he can expect to elicit from his students and to select the material and the approaches accordingly. The three approaches suggested in this guide are the conceptual, the elemental, and the chronological. Lists of materials which might be appropriately used with each approach are given, but materials and ideas for presentation can be drawn from any source. The lists and suggestions of- fered here are not exhaustive; the categories are not restrictive. The materials and suggestions can be used in numerous ways. There are as many differ- ent ways of approaching a humanities study as there are individuals to devise them. Additional approaches which have been utilized in other humanities programs in- clude: Culture Epochs, Great Themes, Great Works, Allied Arts (consumer and performer), Cultural His- tory, Basic Concerns Shared by All Men, and Ameri- can Studies. THE HUMANITIES / TABLE OP CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowtedgments iv Foteivoitd v Rationate vi Objeettve4: United State4 Vepaktment o6 Education Ve6inaLon4 via A Me44age to Teachem 1 CONCEPTUAL APPROACH. 21 ELEMENTAL APPROACH 37 CHRONOLOGICAL APPROACH MAN'S SEARCH FOR ORDER / CONCEPTUAL APPROACH 110 MAN'S SEARCH FOR ORDER OVERALL OBJECTIVE To increase warengss and un- derstanding Of man s basic searches by examining the values which have determined man's pursuits and by studying the medium through which man chooses to express his concerns. UNIT I: MAN SEEKS THE DIVINE OVERALL OBJECTIVE To create an awareness of the timelessness and universality of man's basic searches. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES (1) To provide opportunity for developing an appreciation and Una knowledge of cultural traditions, and to discover a means of understanding other cultures and other ci- vilizations. (2) TO engender a spirit of purposefulness in examining the personal relation- ship between man and his God, and the individual's concept of and response to this kind of relation- ship. CONCEPT Man's relation to the powers of the universe appears in three forms: as participation, as religion, and as world religion. For purposes of this concept, paAticipation, Aetigion, and woad Attigbon assume 1 MAN'S SEARCH FOR ORDER / CONCEPTUAL ORDER a certain characteristics: Peattetpation is a purely phy- sical bond.Through his emotions, through his sen- sations, and through magic, man merges with his an- cestral and totemistic demons. Reagton is a personal, physical and mental relationship. In religion, man for the first time faces his life-giving principle in the deity per se, detached from its human descendants. Man differentiates and disconnects himself from his life-giving principle, and at the same time, recon- nects himself with it mentally. It still contains the physical bond of participation, but goes beyond the physical, biological bond. Woad ice/U.04n, or profession of faith, is a purely spiritual relationship. The concept of world religion is the profession of a universal god as creator, lord and savior, who is no longer a biologically related ancestor.The )tonnection, sprung of faith and of confidence, \../constitutes the sole basis of man's allegiance to God. World religion.is not religion in its original senses it is a creed, a spiritual profession of faith. MAN SEEKS Music, found in all civili- THE DIVINE Cations, appeals to the mind THROUGH MUSIC of man.